Collapsing chair with solid armrest and tensioned seat

ABSTRACT

A chair ( 100 ) with solid armrests ( 150 ) and a tensioned seat collapses in a single movement, in which the front legs ( 110 ) approximate each other when the front and rear legs ( 120 ) pivot towards each other and when the seat and the back pivot towards each other.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is collapsible furniture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Folding chairs are relatively popular, in part because they can be stored at considerably reduced space requirements when compared to non-folding chairs. Exemplary folding chairs with solid arm rests and seat support rods are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,185 to Marchesini et al. (Sep. 23, 1986), U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,525 to Tseng (May 4, 1999), U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,553 to Tseng (Sep. 7, 1999), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,639 to Hill (May 16, 2000), all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

Nevertheless, previously known folding chairs still take up a relatively large space when folded, since the dimension of the folding chair is generally reduced only along one space coordinate (e.g., reduced length). To further reduce the space requirement, collapsible chairs have been developed in which further size reduction is achieved by folding the chair along at least two space coordinates (e.g., length and width). Various collapsing chairs are known in the art.

For example, Sparkes describes in U.S. Pat. No. Des 247,618 (Mar. 28, 1978) a collapsible stroller with solid armrests and seat support rods that is first folded in a front to back motion and then folded in a side-to-side motion. Although Sparkes' stroller provides substantial space saving over non-collapsible strollers, the collapsing is relatively cumbersome since both halves of the chair have to be rotated relative to each other. Improved collapsibility can be achieved by including a detachable connector element into a structure that couples foldable halves of the stroller as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,581 to Kassai (Mar. 2, 1982). Uncoupling of the detachable element advantageously simplifies side-to-side folding of the stroller. However, Kassai's stroller nevertheless requires at least two folding operations to collapse the stroller.

To avoid at least some of the problems associated with multiple operations of collapsible chairs, Mann describes in U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,950 (Oct. 22, 1991) the use of hinges in both armrests and seat support rods. Mann's chair can be collapsed in a single side-to-side and front-to-back motion, however, the hinges in the armrests may be uncomfortable for at least some of the users. Moreover, due to the particular configuration of movable elements in the chair, front and back seat support rods are perpendicular to the legs of a person sitting in the chair, which will likely restrict blood flow in the legs of almost all users over a prolonged period.

Although there are various collapsible chairs with solid armrests known in the art, all or almost all of them suffer from one or more disadvantages. Therefore, there is a need to provide improved methods and apparatus for collapsible chairs with solid armrests.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a collapsible chair that can be collapsed in a single motion, wherein the chair includes a pair of solid armrests and a tensioned seat coupled to a pair of seat support rods.

In particular, the collapsible chair has a pair of front legs, a pair of rear legs, and a pair of solid arm rests, wherein at least one of the rear legs is telescoping. A backrest is coupled to a pair of back support rods, and a tensioned seat is coupled to a pair of seat support rods, wherein the front legs, the rear legs, the arm rests, the back support rods, and the seat support rods are coupled in a manner such that the chair collapses in a single movement in which the front legs approximate each other when the front legs and the rear legs pivot towards each other and when the seat support rods and the back support rods pivot towards each other.

In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, at least one of the front legs and one of rear legs are rotatably coupled to each other and rotatably coupled to an arm rest. It is further contemplated, that at least one of the seat support rods is rotatably coupled to a front and rear leg. Additional cross braces may couple the seat support rods to the front legs, and further additional cross braces may couple the back support rods to the rear legs.

In another aspect of the inventive subject matter, the legs, back support rods and seat support rods are manufactured from a metal, preferably aluminum. It is preferred that the seat and backrest are removably attached to the chair, and are fabricated from a weather resistant material, preferably a synthetic polymer, and more preferably from Nylon.

In a further aspect of the inventive subject matter, a method of imparting collapsibility into a chair comprises one step in which a front leg, a telescoping rear leg, a seat support rod, a back support rod, and a solid armrest are provided. In a further step, both the back support rod and the front leg are rotatably coupled with the armrest and the seat support rod to form a quadrilateral. In a still further step, the telescoping rear leg is rotatably coupled to at least one of the armrest and the front leg, and rotatably coupled to at least one of the seat support rod and the back support rod.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawing, in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible chair without seat and backrest.

FIG. 2 is a perspective detail view of the collapsible chair of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the collapsible chair of FIG. 1 with attached seat and backrest.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the collapsible chair of FIG. 1 in a collapsed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is generally contemplated that a collapsible chair includes a pair of solid armrests, a tensioned seat coupled to a pair of seat support rods, and a backrest coupled to a pair of back support rods. Contemplated chairs further have a pair of front legs, a pair of telescoping rear legs, and can be collapsed in a single motion in which the front legs approximate each other when the front legs and the rear legs pivot towards each other and when the seat support rods and the back support rods pivot towards each other.

In a particularly preferred aspect of the inventive subject matter (as depicted in FIG. 1), a collapsible chair 100 has a pair of front legs 110, a pair of telescoping rear legs 120, and a pair of seat support rods 130. A backrest (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIG. 3) is attached to a pair of back support rods 140, which are coupled to the rear legs 120 and the seat support rods 130. A pair of solid armrests 150 is coupled to the front legs 110, telescoping rear legs 120, and the back support rods 140. A first pair of cross braces 160 is rotatably coupled to the front legs and seat support rods, and a second pair of cross braces 170 is rotatably coupled to the rear legs and back support rods.

A preferred manner of coupling the armrest, the front leg, the telescoping rear leg, the seat support rod and the back support rod is depicted in FIG. 2, which is a detail view of the chair depicted in FIG. 1. Here, the front leg 210 is rotatably coupled to both the seat support rod 230 and solid armrest 250, while the back support rod 240 is rotatably coupled to both the armrest 250 and the seat support rod 230. The telescoping rear leg 220 is rotatably coupled to the back support rod 240, the seat support rod 230, the armrest 250, and the front leg 210. The seat support rod 230 is rotatably coupled to the front leg 210 and the telescoping rear leg 220. FIG. 3 depicts the collapsible chair of FIG. 1 with a seat 380 and a backrest 390, and FIG. 4 shows the collapsible chair of FIG. 1 in a collapsed configuration.

It is contemplated that the seat and the backrest are fabricated from a weather resistant material or fabric, preferably a woven synthetic polymer (e.g., Nylon) and is uniformly colored (e.g., blue). Particularly preferred seats have a width of about 21 inches and an overall length of about 24 inches. However, it should be appreciated that various alternative materials, colors, and sizes are also appropriate.

For example, alternative materials may include natural and synthetic fabrics and all reasonable combinations thereof. Contemplated materials may further be woven or non-woven and particularly contemplated materials include polyester, polyvinyl chloride, cotton, hemp, and wool. With respect to the color, it is contemplated that suitable colors need not be restricted to uniform color, but appropriate colors may also include color patterns, prints, no color at all. While it is generally preferred that the chair according to the inventive subject matter is sized and dimensioned to fit an average adult person, it is also contemplated that appropriate chairs may also accommodate a child, a smaller- or larger-than-average adult, or more than a single person. Therefore, alternative chairs may have dimensions that are wider than 21 inches, and suitable widths include 21-24, 24-30, and 30-40 inches, and wider, but also 18-21, 14-18, and 8-14 inches, and narrower. Likewise, the length of appropriate seats may vary between 20-42, 15-10, and 12-15 inches and less, but also between 24-27, 27-30, and more. It should further be appreciated that contemplated seats may also be tapered from the front end to the back end, or vice versa.

With respect to the backrest it is contemplated that the backrest is fabricated from the same material as the seat, and that the backrest is removably or permanently coupled to the seat (e.g., sewed, coupled with a zipper, etc.) Thus, it is preferred that the backrest has a width of about 21 inches. A preferred height of the backrest is about 24 inches. With respect to the material and color, it is contemplated that the same considerations as for the seat apply. It is further contemplated that the width and height of suitable backrests may vary, and that width and height will depend among other things on the persons' size and the number of persons to be seated in the chair. Thus, alternative backrests may have a width between 18-12 inches and less, but also between 18-22 and more. Similarly, contemplated backrests may have a height between 12-24 inches and less, but also between 24-30 inches and more.

It is generally contemplated that the seat and the backrest may be coupled to the back support rods and seat support rods in numerous ways, including temporary and permanent coupling. Temporary couplings include hook-and-loop type fasteners, snaps, buckles, slidable elements (e.g., a pouch slidably coupled to a post, a ring slidably coupled to a rod, etc.), and threadbly securable elements (e.g., laces threaded through rings). Permanent couplings include sewed or glued elements. For example, the backrest may permanently coupled to the chair via a rivet. On the other hand, the front end of the seat may be temporarily coupled to the front legs via ring-shaped openings slided over the top ends of the front legs. It is further particularly preferred that the seat and the backrest are coupled together.

It should further be appreciated that the attachment of the seat and/or the backrest to the chair may be directly or indirectly. As used herein, the term “direct” attachment means that the seat and/or the backrest are in immediate contact with the supporting structure, whereas the term “indirect” means that an additional element connects the seat and/or backrest with the supporting structure. For example, the seat may be directly attached to the seat support rods via a slidable pouch. Alternatively, the seat may be indirectly coupled to the seat support rods via a ring-shaped opening in the seat that slidably engages with the rods.

With respect to the legs, back support rods, seat support rods, armrests, and cross braces of contemplated chairs, it should be appreciated that all of these elements may be manufactured from various materials, including metals, metal alloys, natural and synthetic polymers, and any reasonable combination thereof. However, it is preferred that the legs, back support rods, seat support rods, and cross braces are manufactured from black anodized aluminum tubing with a wall strength of about 1/32 inch and an outer diameter of approximately ½ inch. It is also preferred that the solid armrest is fabricated from a recycled molded thermoplastic polymer, and especially preferred alternative materials for the armrest, legs, support rods, and cross braces include stainless steel, fiberglass, and wood. As used herein, the term “solid armrest” means that the armrest is fabricated from a sufficiently stiff material to maintain the shape of the armrest while the chair is being folded or unfolded. For example, a wooden or metal armrest is considered a solid armrest under the scope of this definition, because such armrests are fabricated from a material with sufficient stiffness to maintain the shape of the armrest. In contrast, a woven or textile armrest, is not considered a solid armrest under the scope of this definition because such armrests will deform (i.e. change their shape) while the chair is folded or unfolded.

Where one of the armrests, legs, back and seat support rods, and cross braces are rotatably or pivotally coupled to another one of the armrests, legs, back support rods, seat support rods, and cross braces it is generally contemplated, that all known manners of rotatably coupling are suitable for use in conjunction with the teachings presented herein. For example, appropriate manners of rotatably coupling include coupling of two elements via a common axis, coupling via a hinge wherein the hinge may or may not have a slidable connection to another element, coupling via a ball bearing, etc. Similarly, where one of the legs, seat support rods, and cross braces are slidably coupled to another one of the legs, seat support rods, and cross braces, all known slidable couplings are contemplated to be appropriate, and include a sliding sleeve, slide rails, guiding rings, etc.

It should further be recognized that contemplated couplings may be realized in various configurations. For example, where the telescoping rear leg and the front leg are coupled to the armrest at substantially the same location, the coupling may involve a single axle, pin, or otherwise rotatable connector. Alternatively, two independent axles, pins, or otherwise rotatable connectors may be employed. Furthermore, rotatable couplings may include rotatable couplings that are also slideable relative to their point of attachment. For example, contemplated alternative rotatable couplings may include a sleeve that may be slideably coupled to e.g., a front leg with an axle which may rotatably couple another element to the coupling.

Thus, it should be appreciated that the coupling may be rotatable and slidable. Alternatively, where rotatable and slidable couplings are less desirable, temporary couplings may be employed and suitable temporary couplings include snap connectors, connectors that are secured with a pin or other removable element, etc.

It is generally contemplated that various methods and configurations may be employed to impart variability in length to the telescoping rear leg. Thus, a telescoping rear leg need not be limited to a configuration in which a first portion of the leg is at least partially disposed within the lumen of a second portion (see FIG. 2). Alternative configurations may include a first portion that is movable relative to a second portion, wherein the first and second portion may or may not directly contact each other. For example, a first portion and a second portion may share a common rail or other sliding mechanism through which the first and second portion are coupled to each other. In another example, the first and second portion may be coupled through a series of hinge members. Alternatively, a first portion and a second portion may be engaged and/or disengaged with each other in a fixed or otherwise predetermined position relative to each other by clamps, bolts, screws, etc. In a still further example, the telescoping rear leg may change its length via compressible, foldable, or otherwise pliable material.

While it is generally contemplated that the extent to which the length of the rear leg is variable is not limiting to the inventive subject matter, it is preferred that the rear leg has a minimum length when the chair is in an extended configuration (i.e., unfolded to support a person), and a maximum length when the chair is in a substantially completely collapsed configuration. It should further be appreciated that a collapsible chair may have a self-folding configuration by employing a gas spring as a telescoping element in the rear leg. Thus, it should be recognized that the rear leg may be telescoping in its entirety, or may only include a telescoping portion.

In a further aspect of the inventive subject matter, a collapsible chair has two solid armrests, two front legs, two telescoping rear legs, two back support rods, and two seat support rods. A first pair of cross braces couples (a) a first front leg with a first seat support rod on the opposite side of the chair, and (b) the second front leg with the second seat support rod. A second pair of cross braces couples (a) a telescoping rear leg with a first back support rod on the opposite side of the chair, and (b) the second telescoping rear leg with the second back support rod.

It is generally contemplated that all of the front legs, rear legs, back and seat support rods are coupled through the cross braces in a manner that allows collapsing the chair in a single movement, i.e., that the front legs approximate each other and pivot towards the rear legs as the arm rests pivot towards the back support rods. As viewed from another perspective, the seat support rods pivot upwardly and the rear legs leg pivot towards the pair of front legs, when the chair folds into a closed configuration.

In alternative aspects of the inventive subject matter the number of legs, and/or seat support rods, and/or cross braces may vary considerably. For example, where the chair is sized and dimensioned to accommodate more than one person, three, four, or more legs, and/or seat supports, and/or cross braces may be included. On the other hand, where stability of the seat is particularly desirable, three or more seat support rods may be included in a chair with two front legs and two rear legs. Likewise, the number of cross braces may vary, and while some chairs may have only one pair of cross braces, other chairs may include three, four, or more cross braces.

It should be especially appreciated that in contemplated configurations of collapsible chairs, the seat is tensioned when the front legs move apart, and that the seat remains substantially tensioned when the seat supports a person. The term “tensioned seat” means that the seat is substantially level when the chair is in the open configuration, wherein the term “substantially level” means that the vertical distance between any point of the seat and the seat support rod is no more than one 0.75 inch, more preferably no more than 0.5 inch, and most preferably no more than 0.5 inch. The term “open configuration” refers to the configuration of the collapsible chair in which the front legs have a maximum distance from each other when the chair is opened using reasonable force (i.e. without damaging the mechanical structure). The term “remains substantially tensioned” means that the vertical distance between the lowest point of the seat and the seat support rod increases no more than one inch, preferably no more than one inch, more preferably no more than 0.75 inch, and most preferably no more than 0.5 inch. Thus, it should be recognized that the tension of the seat is predominantly determined by the firmness of the material of the seat.

While not whishing to be bound by a particular theory, it is contemplated that the tension in the seat remains substantially tensioned due to mechanically coupling an approximating movement of the seat support rods with a simultaneous movement of at least one of the rear legs relative to the front leg and a movement of the front legs relative to each other. View from another perspective, it should be recognized that contemplated modes of coupling the front leg with the rear leg and the seat support rod prevent loss of tension of the seat when a person is supported by the chair.

Thus, a method of imparting collapsibility into a chair has one step in which a front leg, a telescoping rear leg, a seat support rod, a back support rod, and a solid armrest are provided. In another step, both the back support rod and the front leg are rotatably coupled with the armrest and the seat support rod to form a quadrilateral. In a further step, the telescoping rear leg is rotatably coupled to at least one of the armrest and the front leg, and rotatably coupled to at least one of the seat support rod and the back support rod. The so formed quadrilateral that is coupled to the telescoping rear leg may then be coupled with a second quadrilateral that is coupled to a second telescoping rear leg via at least one cross brace.

The term “quadrilateral” as used herein refers to a configuration of a plurality of elements in which at least four of the plurality of elements are coupled to each other to form a polygon of four sides. For example, a regular or distorted trapezoid made of four elements coupled to each other is considered a quadrilateral under the scope of this definition. Contemplated methods may further include comprising attaching a first cross brace to the seat support rod, comprising attaching a second cross brace to the seat support rod, attaching a backrest to the back support rod, and attaching a seat to the seat support rod. With respect to the front leg, the telescoping rear leg, the seat support rod, the back support rod, the seat, the backrest, and the solid armrest, it should be appreciated that the same considerations as described above apply.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of collapsible chairs have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. 

1. A collapsible chair, comprising: a pair of front legs, a pair of rear legs, and a pair of solid arm rests, wherein at least one of the rear legs is telescoping, and wherein at least one of the front legs is rotatably coupled to at least one of the pair of rear legs; a backrest coupled to a pair of back support rods, and a seat coupled to a pair of seat support rods; and wherein the front legs, the rear legs, the arm rests, the back support rods, and the seat support rods are coupled in a manner such that the chair collapses in a single movement in which the front legs approximate each other when the front legs and the rear legs pivot towards each other and when the seat support rods and the back support rods pivot towards each other.
 2. The collapsible chair of claim 1 wherein one of the pair of front legs and one of the pair of rear legs are rotatably coupled to each other, and wherein one of the pair of front legs and one of the pair of rear legs are rotatably coupled to one of the pair of arm rests.
 3. The collapsible chair of claim 1 wherein one of the pair of seat support rods is rotatably coupled to one of the pair of front legs and one of the pair of rear legs.
 4. The collapsible chair of claim 1 further comprising a first pair of cross braces that couple the pair of seat support rods to the pair of front legs.
 5. The collapsible chair of claim 4 further comprising a second pair of cross braces that couple the pair of back support rods to the pair of rear legs.
 6. The collapsible chair of claim 1 wherein at least one of the pair of front legs, the pair of rear legs, the pair of seat support rods, and the pair of back support rods is manufactured from aluminum.
 7. The collapsible chair of claim 1 wherein the backrest comprises a weather resistant fabric.
 8. The collapsible chair of claim 1 wherein the backrest comprises Nylon.
 9. The collapsible chair of claim 1 wherein the backrest is removably attached to the pair of back support rods.
 10. The collapsible chair of claim 1 wherein the tensioned seat is removably attached to the pair of seat support rods.
 11. The collapsible chair of claim 1 wherein the seat is coupled to the backrest.
 12. The collapsible chair of claim 1 wherein the pair of seat support rods pivot upwardly and the pair of rear legs leg pivot towards the pair of front legs, when the chair folds into a closed configuration.
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